12 replies to this topic

[Cheater]

I just learned that California wing racer Robert B. Park passed away on June 2 from unknown causes. Robert hadn't posted  at Slotblog in almost two years, but since he was the sole caregiver for his blind father in recent times, that is very understandable. He was only 34 years old, way, way too soon to leave us.

Robert became a Slotblog member (with display name parko061) in Nov 2008, so he was one of the early folks here. Wasn't a prolific poster, but was a minor member of the Boola Racing gang, a frequent BPR racer, and a frequent volunteer race director there as well. I only met him a single time, when Jay Guard and I flew west to attend the Checkpoint Cup in 2011, I think it was.
 
RIP, Robert.

[Cheater]

Robert's all-too-brief obituary:
 
"Robert Brad Park, 34, born on November 19, 1983, in Long Beach, California, passed away June 2, 2018. He resided in Bellflower, California, at the time of his passing. Arrangements are under the direction of Forest Lawn, Cypress, California."

[MSwiss]

Wow, what a shame about Robert.

He was a real nice guy.

May he rest in peace.

[Tim Neja]

Wow – it is so sad to hear about Robert!! I just saw him a couple of weeks ago and he was really looking good!! Lost weight and seemed in great spirits and discussed coming out and racing again.  

 

Prayers for his family and friends. This was really unexpected!  

 

God Bless! 

[Mike K]

Godspeed, Robert.

[Cheater]

Pics of Robert were hard to come by. Here's three I found or cropped out of bigger pics.

 

If you have any better pics of Robert, please post them.

 

 

 

[Keith Tanaka]

Sad to hear of Robert's passing. He was active with D1 wing racing at BPR for many years and was always very helpful supporting not just wing racing but also D3 Retro and hardbody racing. He was fun to be around and always nice to everyone, he will be missed.
 


2008 BP 500 - Pro OMO podium, L-R, Robert, Beuf Pederson, Bob Dunn.
 


2009 Western States Semi-Pro G7 winner. Robert was also a Nats Semi-Pro winner.
 


2009 BP 500, G7 race (Randy Thompson, Rick Salvino and Robert).
 


Always helping others (with Brendan "Zero" Aguirre).
 


Robert always helped out with the race directing at BPR for wing, retro and hardbody races. 
 


At last year's Memorial race for Paul Sterrett at BPR, Robert was joined by fellow wing racers
L-R, Josh Bauer, Randy Thompson, Forrest Watchers, Mike Graversen, Sam Rackham and Robert. 
 
We'll definitely miss you, Robert, but I'm sure you're already talking racing with Paul Sterrett in the big raceway in the sky. 
 
Keith

[PCH Parts Express]

Wow, he was so young. What a terrible loss.

[Bryan Warmack]

Heard about this last week. What a shock.

 

RIP, Robert.

[Tom Eatherly]

Met him a couple times at some earlier Checkpoint races. Nice guy to talk with. Too young, too sudden.

 

RIP, Robert.

[eshorer]

I was out of the country and totally missed this till now. Really unfortunate. A great racer and we always had that Boola connection. Sad news, indeed.

 

Eddie

[Mark Wampler]

Sad to read about this. Robert was a regular fixture around Buena Park. I knew he was into wing cars. I'd see him often when I came to race. 

[usadar]

He was a great supporter of SoCal D3.
 
Rest In Peace, Robert.

Haruki